Lavrio

Lavrio is a town in southeastern Attica, Greece. Its first mines were built in 3200 BC, and systematic exploitation of material resources began in the 6th century BC under Peisistratus. In 483 BC, Themistocles persuaded the Athenians to devote the anticipated revenue from a major silver vein strike in the mines of Laurion to build a fleet of 200 triremes, laying the foundation of Athenian naval power. The mines, owned by the state, employed as many as 20,000 slaves at the height of the mining. After the Spartan occupation of Decelea at the end of the 5th century BC, mining output fell. In 2011, Lavrio had a population of 7,078 people.